way down he called again, and the answer came up from the
hiding-place of Athor. In another moment they were within and beside
the prostrate form of the old Israelite. Rachel dropped on her knees,
crying out in her solicitude. Her words were in the soft language of
her own people and unintelligible to Kenkenes, but her voice trembled
with concern. The old woman answered soothingly and at some length.
The narrative was frequently broken by low exclamations from Rachel,
and at its end the girl turned to Kenkenes with a sob of anger.

"The Lord God break them in pieces and His fury be upon them!" she
cried. "They set upon her and beat her and left her to the jackals!"

"Set consume them!" Kenkenes responded wrathfully. "How came they upon
you? Did you not return to camp?"

"Nay, the mother heart in me would not suffer me to desert Rachel. I
stayed without this place, and ye outstripped me when ye fled. After a
time the fat servitor, rousing out of his swoon, came forth from here,
and another, who had been lurking in the rocks, joined him, and the
pair, in searching for you, discovered me and beat me with maces,
leaving me for dead."

After a grim silence, broken only by the low weeping of Rachel,
Kenkenes bade her continue.

"The search they made for you was not thorough, for one was ill and
both were afraid. But they came upon the statue again, and the sight
of it mocked them, so they overthrew it and broke it."

Kenkenes drew a sharp breath and glanced at the place where Athor
should have been. Except for themselves, the niche was evidently
vacant. The old woman continued:

"Then they descended into the camp of Israel. After a time I heard the
sound of voices as if there were many men in the hills, and the heart
of me was afraid. With much pain and travail I crept into this place,
and here sounds come but faintly. But I heard sufficient to know that
there were many who sought diligently, but whether they were our own
people or the minions of thine enemy, Rachel, I could not with safety
discover."

"Said they aught concerning their intents--this pair, who set upon
you?" Kenkenes asked.

"O, aye, they blustered, and if they bring half of their threats to
pass, it will go ill with thee, Egyptian. They will set the priests
upon thee immediately; the hills will be searched; the Nile will be
picketed. It behooves thee to have a care for thyself. As for Rachel,
I know not what will become of her. S